We have our work cut out for us in the coming years. The threats to critical affordable and supportive housing programs that serve the poorest households and those with disabilities are real and significant. Become involved in planning the 2018 Congressional Reception!

NJCounts 2019

All twenty-one New Jersey Counties will be counting individuals and families who were homeless – both sheltered and un-sheltered - on the night of Wednesday January 23, 2019.This annual census is conducted by networks of organizations, agencies and others that plan community efforts to end homelessness and is coordinated by Monarch Housing on the statewide level.

The goal of the second Annual Homeless Sabbath is to engage as many congregations of all faiths to include readings in their service(s) held on December 15th, 16th and 17th, 2017, at their respective house of worship. Click here to register online to participate.

Congress Nears Deadline for FY19 THUD Spending Bill

November Mid-Term Elections for Congress Offer Advocates Opportunity to Speak Up

The two chambers of Congress continue to negotiate a final deal on a four-bill spending package (“minibus”) that includes the FY19 Transportation-HUD (THUD) bill.

Several issues are stalling negotiations, including a House Republican provision that would set aside $585 million for a “Fund for America’s Kids and Grandkids,” which can only be spent once the federal deficit is eliminated. Many Democrats object to this proposal since it prevents the money from being spent for the foreseeable future.

Congress has until September 30, the last day of the current fiscal year, to negotiate a deal on the minibus. Without an agreement, Congress will probably fund HUD affordable housing programs through a stopgap funding measure running through December 7.

Lawmakers plan to attach the stopgap funding bill, known as a continuing resolution, to a different spending package that has already been negotiated.

A CR is a temporary funding measure that Congress can use to fund the federal government for a limited amount of time.

Continuing resolutions are often employed to avoid a government shutdown and give lawmakers more time to come up with an agreement on funding for the year.

Congress should pass the THUD appropriations bill as soon as possible and provide full funding for affordable housing programs.

Building on the momentum of that successful Congressional Reception, it is critical that our elected officials in Washington continue to push for increased and full funding for affordable housing programs that are working to prevent and end homelessness in New Jersey.

And we have the opportunity to influence who our elected officials in Washington will be in 2019. The mid-term elections will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Ten of the twelve members of New Jersey’s House delegation are up for re-election along with U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. And voters in the 2nd and 11th House districts will elect a new Congressperson to fill the seats of U.S. Representatives Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-2) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11) who are retiring and not seeking re-election.

Affordable homes are built with ballots every bit as much as they are built with bricks and drywall. Advocates for expanded housing affordability need to be a significant voting block in the 2018 election and to realize that they vote can make a difference and impact election outcomes. The deadline to register to vote in New Jersey in the November election is Tuesday October 16, 2018.

Participate in Homeless Persons Memorial Day Vigil – attend the vigil and help remember our neighbors who died due to lack of housing and supportive services;

Engage – talk to your family, your neighbors, your co-workers and elected officials about homelessness in Union County and how we need to work together to end homelessness. To achieve that goal, we need to change the conversation and focus on the needs of our neighbors; and

Form a homeless ministry - Begin discussions that focus on what more your congregation can do to end homelessness.